Trainer Profile: Rose Loxton
Rose alongside her husband Sam had a tremendous season in 2019 culminating in winning the leading Hunter Chase trainer with a total of 8 victories. These were headed by the prolific Monsieur Gibraltar who won four, Virak who recorded two wins and the promising Earth Leader a further two wins. In addition to those successes she saddled a repeat triumph for Caid Du Berlais in the Punchestown Hunter Chase in May beating Burning Ambition. The 2020 Hunter Chase programme opens next Tuesday at Taunton and Rose will be looking to retain her title from her stable of eight horses she trains at her farm near Bruton.
Rose remains an integral part of the set up at Paul Nicholls stable at Ditcheat but once she has completed her responsibilities she returns home to look after her horses together with her husband Sam. She is assisted during their lunch breaks by Natalie Parker, Harriet Tucker and Angus Cheleda who come over from Ditcheat and also Joe Wroe who helps every lunchtime.
Rose who recently collected the awards at the Larkhill lunch for the leading trainer last season as well as receiving on behalf of David Maxwell the award for the leading horse (Monsieur Gibraltar) took the opportunity to give an insight into her stable team for the coming season and her initial plans for these over the coming weeks
Monsieur Gibraltar – He changed hands during last season and is now owned solely by David Maxwell. Campaigned exclusively in Hunter Chases after his purchase he recorded wins at Wincanton, Southwell, Kempton and Fontwell and is anticipated to remain Hunter Chasing in 2020 as his owner will be keen to retain the award he won last season as the leading Hunter Chase rider.
Shantou Flyer – The second of David Maxwell’s horses which Rose will be training this season. The winner of two Hunter Chases last season at Kelso and Fontwell he probably ran his best race when runner up to Hazel Hill at Cheltenham in the Foxhunters. Transferred to Rose from the stable of Richard Hobson he was entered at the abandoned Chaddesley Corbett meeting in the Mens Open so at least a preparatory point to point outing might be on the cards before his attention is turned to Hunter Chasing and he does hold an entry at Larkhill on Sunday.
Earth Leader – Made great progress in his first season pointing and won his last five outings including Hunter Chases at Fontwell and Stratford. Started this season in the same vein with an impressive win in a Mens Open at Larkhill and in the process gave his rider Angus Cheleda his first point to point winner on his first ride between the flags. Owned by Roger Penny who enjoyed tremendous success with EarthMover at Cheltenham he may be another whose attention will be turned to Hunter Chasing in the near future.
Virak – Formed a strong partnership with Natalie Parker last season winning three point to points and two Hunter Chases at Ascot and Ludlow and is likely to continue to mix point to pointing and Hunter Chasing but is likely to start in a Ladies Point to Point and is entered at Larkhill on Sunday. Part owned by the enthusiastic Clive Hitchings this is a consistent sort to follow in the new season.
Captain Buck’s – A former resident at Paul Nicholls yard he was successful in a Bumper and two Hurdles but did not win over fences despite racing twelve times. Placed on seven occasions he may appreciate the drop in class and is likely to be campaigned in Ladies races when he will be ridden by Harriet Tucker. He has not won since April 2017 so Conditions races would be another opening for him. He also holds several entries at Larkhill on Sunday.
Caid Du Berlais – Another tilt at the Cheltenham Foxhunters is being considered for this high class horse who trounced his rivals at rain soaked Bishops Court in March 2019. He then ran at the Foxhunters and disappointed connections but bounced right back to his very best when securing a notable back to back success at Punchestown. He remains the ride of champion jockey Will Biddick who is looking forward to reuniting the partnership.
Snakelake Hill – About to turn five years old this Getaway gelding is a Maiden owned by Rose and Sam. The runner up to The Greater Good at Littlewindsor last season he has had a couple of races already this season the latest being when fourth to Phoenix Park at Wadebridge. A Maiden at least should be within his compass this season.
Chameron – Another former resident at Ditcheat who came with a high reputation having won two Hurdle races at Auteuil and was previously part owned by Sir Alex Ferguson and Ged Mason. His four races over fences only yielded one second and he was sent to the sales in August 2019 where he was bought back in by Paul Nicholls for £14,000. Now owned in a partnership including Paul and Harry Cobden it will be fascinating to see what Rose can do with this talented individual who has not won since October 2016. He holds a couple of entries at Larkhill.
